U.S. Special Ops Conduct Arctic Drills Near Russia’s Border in Alaska
U.S. Special Operations Command is running the Polar Dagger exercise in western Alaska, close to the Russian border, through August 31.
Over the weekend the U.S. military began Polar Dagger 2026, an Arctic warfare exercise that will run until August 31 in western Alaska. Hosted by Special Operations Command North, the drill is paired with Tundra Merlin to integrate air and ground capabilities and reinforce deterrence near the Bering Strait, a strategic waterway linking the Arctic and Pacific. Units involved include the Army’s 10th Special Forces Group, Air Commandos operating MC-130J Commando II transports, as well as Navy SEALs and Marine Raiders, training on islands like Point Hope, St. Lawrence Island, Wales, Tin City and Little Diomede, the latter only about two miles from Russia’s Big Diomede in Chukotka.
NORTHCOM highlighted that the exercises demonstrate rapid Arctic deployment, strengthen civil-military partnerships, and boost readiness against near-peer threats such as Russia and China. The shift reflects a broader move away from counter-insurgency drills toward preparing for great-power war. Observers note the proximity to Russia underscores the strategic intent of the training.
Why it matters
It reveals how the United States is gearing its forces for possible Arctic confrontation with Russia or China.
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